The 15th European Championship held in France this year is just over halfway through. We are now left with the last eight nations who have reached the quarter-finals. This year, the Uefa Executive Committee decided to expand the finals from 16 to 24 participating teams, giving European minnow footballing nations a chance to prove their mettle at an international tournament. Albania, Iceland, Slovakia, and Wales made their European Championship debuts, while a historic 44-year-old Hungarian return – their last participation was in 1972 – meant that this year’s tournament had more underdogs than usual to root for. Here is a look at this European Championship’s final eight teams.
Poland
Poland have sneaked through to the quarter-finals with solid defensive discipline and a horrible attacking display. They have progressed through their group undefeated, went on to win a penalty shootout in the round of 16 against Switzerland and now face Portugal. What is worrying for Poland is that their attack, spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski has failed spectacularly in comparison to their qualifying campaign. Lewandowski has a 40% shot accuracy and has not scored, or assisted, in the tournament since his opening goal in Euro 2012 against Greece. Poland are yet to trail in a game this tournament, but as we enter the final rounds, it appears that that stat will disappear quick. Poland need to find rhythm. Arkadiusz Milik and Jakub Blaszczykowski have stepped up in place of the absent Lewandowski this tournament, but a continued lack of enthusiasm showed by the Bayern Munich forward...
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